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Camping trip coming faster than I can gear up!!!

My wife and I have have three children ages 4,7,& 9. We are going on the annual church camping trip the first weekend of August. So far my oldest 2 have Equip hammocks, but no tarps. My wife and I have DIY hammocks complete with ridgelines and whoopie-slings. I have one DIY tarp made from a harbor freight tarp, which I finished last night just in time to hang it before the rain came to test it. I'm not worried about TQs or UQs, because New Mexico is pretty warm at night, so a sleeping bag will be all that's needed for cover.

My dilemma is I currently don't have the cash to purchase true hammock tarps, but the DIY harbor freight version takes me some time to manufacture. Between the camping trip, we've got a birthday and a trip to San Diego for a conference that take up 3 weekends.

I guess the obvious solution is to put the kids in a........tent, and I make just one more tarp. What I'm looking for is a way for the kids to enjoy their new hammocks.

I have taken teens out camping using the cheapy blue tarps that run for less than $7.00, ($4.99 on sale now) without any DIY work.

The one linked is 7'4"x9'6" hung by the grommets on the diagonal would yield a 12' ridgeline that would cover any hammock out there. No work to it other than tying on 4 lines, (2 to hang it and 2 to stake it out).

What I like about the cheap and simple method I've used is it gets the job done in short order, works for a season, maybe more, but mostly it solves the short term problem and buys time for a better more ideal long term fix.

It's always great to get the family out together, I commend your efforts.

What I like about the cheap and simple method I've used is it gets the job done in short order, works for a season, maybe more, but mostly it solves the short term problem and buys time for a better more ideal long term fix.

It's always great to get the family out together, I commend your efforts.

Exactly! I thrive on the DIY side of things out of necessity (can't afford much) and also because it makes me strain my brain to think outside of the box. When that "light bulb" finally lights up.....what a reward! Knowledge is weightless and doesn't take up any room in your pack.

My family loves a good weekend in the woods, and I'm going to give it my all to make it an enjoyable one.